Valve for parenteral liquid feed apparatus



Jan. 4, 1966 J. BERNSTEIN VALVE FOR PARENTERAL LIQUID FEED APPARATUSFiled June 19, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. JACOB BERNsTEm Jan. 4,1966 J. BERNSTEIN 3,227,173

VALVE FOR PARENTERAL LIQUID FEED APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1963 Jjj M fQT'8 I 3 Sheets-Sheet -5 INVENTOR. BERNSTEJN United States Patent 03,227,173 VALVE FOR PARENTERAL LIQUID FEED APPARATUS Jacob Bernstein,8922 S. East End Ave., Chicago, Ill. .Fiied June 19, 1963, Ser.-No.289,141 1 Claim. (Cl..137192) This invention relates generally toapparatus for the injection of parenteral solutions, and moreparticularly to an improved check valve for such apparatus designed tobe maintained in a normally closed position and operating in a manner toensure the sealing off of theliquid feed line after the prescribedsupplyof solution has been .exhausted but before the admission of any airthereto. This application comprises a continuationdn-part of my patentapplication, Ser. No. 246,491 filed Dec. 21, 1962, and entitledParenteral Liquid Feed Apparatus with Magnetically InfluencedPositive-Acting Check Valve, now abandoned.

The invention disclosed in my aforementioned co-pendaing patent.application comprised a parenteral liquid feed apparatus with amagnetically influenced float type check valve. Magnetic means wasprovided for influencing the float valve to ensure seating of the samein sufiicient time to seal off theliquid feed line. after theprescribedsupply of solution had been exhausted but before the admission of anyair into the feed line. T hiswas to ensure against an embolism. whichmight result in deathof the patient.

As was indicated by my; aforementioned co-pending patent application,intravenous solutions are generally administered by gravity feed fromanelevated and inverted bottle or similar container of the solution. Thesolution from the bottle is fed into the vein of the patient through afeed tube and a hypodermic needle.

A pinch valve is usually associated with the tube for adjusting the rateof -fiow, or even cutting off the same altogether. In the simple gravityliquid type system in which no automatic check 'valve was provided, itwas essential that the attending nurse or doctor terminate the injectionbefore the admission of any air into the feed tube following theexhaustion of the supply of solution. Failureto do this could result inair embolism and the death of the patient.

To overcome this problem, .I provided a float valve which could bepositioned either-in the bottle of solution or in the plenum chamberintermediatethe solution container and thefeed tube. It couldalso belocated in a chamber or tube positioned anywhere in the feed tubesystem. The float valve had magnetic-responsive material containedtherein and a magnet was positioned below the valve seat. The magnet wasmovable into operative position, and was so designed that it would at-.tract the float valve and causeit to be seated on the valve 7 apparatuswhich will overcome both the objections of the prior art devices, asdisclosed in my aforementioned copending patent application, and alsothe above-described disadvantages: of the magnetically-influenced checkvalve comprising the :subject matter of my aforementioned coand which isopened only when a predetermined amount of liquid is present in thechamber within which the valve seat and valve are contained. Again, thevalve seat and valve may be contained either in the bottle or within theplenum chamber positioned below the neck of the bottle containing thesolution. Similarly, it may be positioned in a chamber or tube locatedanywhere in the feed tube system.

Another important object is to afford an intravenous liquid feedapparatus which includes a positive acting check valve having theadvantages of a float valve in permitting accurate dispensing of all ofthe liquid as prescribed but which avoids the disadvantages of thesimple float valve systems described above. The invention thus insures apositively accurate and efficient seal of the feed tube in every case.

Still another object is to afford an intravenous liquid feed apparatusof the character described which may be fabricated as a complete unit orset including'a suitable cap to be connected to the bottle of solution.

Yet another object is to provide an intravenous liquid feed apparatus ofthe character described which is relatively inexpensive and thus may bediscarded after use. In this manner, all problems of sterilization forlater use are avoided.

Still a further object is to afford an intravenous liquid feed apparatusof the character described in which all parts having contact with theadministered solution, including the valve, may be made of readilysterilizable,

non-toxic and inert materials.

Another object is to provide a valve embodiment, the ciosure of whichdoes not depend upon the seating of a ball, thereby reducing thepossibility of inadvertent opening of the valve due to accidentalmovement or tipping of the valve chamber.

Yet a further object is to provide an int-ravenous liquid feed apparatusof the character described which is simple to use and yet is mosttrustworthy and efficient for the purposes intended.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claim, it being understood thatvarious changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of thestructure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose offacilitating an understanding of my invention, I haveillustrated in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments thereof,from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with thefollowing description, my invention, its mode of construction, assemblyand operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understoodand apreciated.

Referringto the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawings:

PEG. 1 is an elevational view of an intravenous liquid feed apparatusembodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the plane ofline 2-2 in FIG. 1, viewed in the direction indicated and illustratingthe relationship of parts at the initiation of, or during, the flow ofliquid;

FIG. 3 is a similar view illustrating the relationship of parts with thevalve seated and ealing off the feed tube;

FIG. 4 is a similar view, but illustrating another embodiment of thevalve, and again illustrating the relationship of parts at theinitiation of the flow of liquid;

FIG. 5 is a similar view of the same embodiment illustrating therelationship of parts with the valve seated and sealing off the feedtube;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of line66 in FIG. 4 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an intravenous liquid feed bottle inwhich is inserted a cork with another embodiment of the valve;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 7 and illustrating the valve embodiment in the open position; and

FIG. 9 is a similar fragmentary view of the same em bodiment but showingthe valve in the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicatesgenerally a parenteral or intravenous liquid feed aparatus embodying theprinciples of the invention. The apparatus 10 is shown connected to abottle or similar container 12 containing a suitable liquid 14 which isbeing administered. The opposite end of the apparatus comprises a feedtube 16 made of flexible rubber, plastic or the like, and a cannula orhypodermic needle 18 connected to the free end of the tube, said needlebeing inserted into the arm of a patient as illustrated. A simple pinchvalve, such as the slotted plate 29, may likewie be mounted on the tube16 for controlling the rate of flow in the well known manner. The bottle12 is provided with the customary neck 22 which may be externally screwthreaded as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

A cap 24 made of hard rubber or suitable plastic or similar material isthreadedly engaged with the bottle neck 22. Integrally formed with, orotherwise suitably connected to, the cap 24 is an annular dependingcollar 26 which may be made of a softer flexible material, such asrubber or the like. Centrally positioned within the collar 26 is anipple 23 which communicates with the interior of the bottle 12 by meansof a central passageway or orifice 30 formed therethrough. The cap 2.4-may also contain a conventional vent tube such as 32 which functions inthe usual manner to admit air into the bottle for facilitating the flowof the liquid 14 therefrom.

Tightly fitted over, or connected to, the collar 26 may be a smallvolume (1 or 2 cc.) plenum chamber 34 which may be transparent and madeof glass, although a semirigid but non-breakable transparent plastic ispreferred. The chamber 34 is generally cylindrical in cross-section witha curved or relatively conic section 36 formed at the bottom thereof.The conic section 36 is formed with a central opening 38 formed at thebottom thereof. The tube 16 is inserted through said opening 38 and isadapted to fit therein in water-tight relationship. The upper end of thetube 16 may be formed with a funnel-shaped, outwardly-flaring, topportion 40. It will be appreciated that said funnel-shaped portion 40affords an annular valve seat 42 adapted to cooperate with a novel floatvalve indicated generally by the reference numeral 44.

The float valve 44 may be of any suitable shape and size but asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a cylindrical portion 46 with adepending inverted conical section 48. Said conical section 48 iscomplementary in shape and size to the valve seat 42 for reasons whichwill be disclosed as the description proceeds. It should also be notedthat the upper base of the conical section 43 is smaller in dimensionthan the adjacent base of the upper cylindrical portion 46 therebyaffording a marginal shoulder 50. Similarly, the reason therefor willbecome apparent as the description proceeds.

The float 44 is anchored to the tube 16 by suitable spring or elasticmeans such as a length of elastic cord 52, one end of which is aflixedto the bottom of the float cone 48 and the other of which may beanchored to a spider or bridge 54 positioned within the tube 16 inspaced relationship with the top thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings. The length of the cord 52 is short enough so that thefloat valve 44 is ordinarily seated in closed position in the valve seat42 of the funnel portion 49 of the tube 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 3of the drawings. When so seated, it will be noted that the conicalsection 48 of the float valve is seated so that the sides thereof fitsnugly within the valve seat 42. Further closure is afforded by theseating of the shoulder 50 on the top edges of the funnel portion 40. Itshould be noted that the bridge 54 does not excessively interfere withthe flow of liquid through the tube 16.

Operation of the apparatus 10 may now be appreciated from the followingdescription. When it is desired to administer liquid by injection into apatient, the cap or ordinary closure member of the bottle 12 is removedand the cap 24 threadedly connected thereto. The bottle 12 may now beinverted so that the liquid 14 from the bottle flows into the plenumchamber 34 through the orifice 30 of the nipple 28. As the plenumchamber fills with liquid, the float 44 exerts sufiicient buoyant forceupwardly to overcome the downwardly directed force exerted on the floatby the elastic cord 52. Thus, the float 44 rises (stretching the elasticcord 52) unseating the valve and thereby opening the same and permittingthe liquid from the plenum chamber to flow down through the tube 16. Theneedle 18 is, of course, inserted into the arm of the patient and thepinch valve 20 may likewise be adjusted to regulate the rate of flow ofthe liquid through the feed tube 16.

As the supply of liquid 14- nears exhaustion, the liquid level in thechamber 34 begins to recede. As the liquid recedes, the elastic cord 52contracts and the float valve 44 settles until the same is firmly seatedin the seat 42. It is important to note that the buoyancy of the floatvalve 44 and the elasticity of the cord 52 are such that the seating ofthe float valve occurs while there still remains a small amount ofliquid in the chamber 34. The combination of the contracting action ofthe elastic cord 52 urging the valve 44 to a normally seated or closedposition and the small remaining amount of liquid in the chamber, doublyensures against the entry of air into the feed tube 16.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modifiedform of the invention in which similar parts are identified by likenumerals with the added suffix a. In this embodiment, the upper end ofthe tube 1611 has a tubular sleeve 6t) fitted over the top thereof sothat a portion of said tube protrudes through the opening 33a into theplenum chamber 34a. The upper end of the sleeve 69 is formed with adownwardly sloping annular flange 62. A rubber or other suitable elasticmembrane 64 is stretched thereover with the marginal edges thereofsecured to the marginal edges of the flange 62. The membrane 64 isformed with semi-circular indentations or cut-out portions 66 opening tothe outer edges of the membrane and flange. These cut-out portions arenot secured for reasons which will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds. Affixed to the center of the membrane 64, by any suitablemeans such as non-elastic cord 68, is a float '70, the function of whichlikewise will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In operation, the membrane 64, being stretched over the flange 62, isnormally deflated and taut enough so that the same bears against the topsurface of the flange 62 and across the top opening of the sleeve 60.This relationship of parts ensures a water-tight closure of said tube,thereby preventing the admission of any liquid into the sleeve 69 andthe liquid feed tube 16a. The closed position of the apparatus isillustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. As the bottle 12a is inverted, inthe manner described in connection with the first embodiment, the liquid14a enters the plenum chamber 3411 through the orifice 30a of the nipple28a. This exerts suflicient buoyant force so that the float 70 rises,drawing up with its membrane 64, to. the position shown in FIG. 4 of thedrawings. As this occurs, the liquid enters through the cut-out portions66 and flows between the raised membrane 64 and the flange 62, asillustrated by the arrows in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The liquid ofcourse then enters the sleeve 60 and the feed tube 16a so that the samemay be fed to the patient in the manner described in the previousembodiment.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, there is illustrated a furthermodified form of the invention in which similar parts are identified bylike numerals, but this time with the added suffix b. In thisembodiment, the valve 71 is shown mounted on a bottle stopper 72inserted directly into the neck 22b of the bottle 12b. As in the case ofthe other embodiments, the specific location of the valve in the liquidfeed system is not liimted. The valve could be as readily positioned ina plenum chamber suspended from the bottle 1212, as illustrated in FIGS.1 through 5 of the drawings, or if preferred could be positioned in aseparate chamber or tube which, in turn, might be positioned anywhere inthe liquid feed system.

Directing attention to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings, it will be notedthat the bottle stopper 72 (which may be made of rubber or any othersuitable material) may be formed with a tube-like protuberance 74 overwhich may be fiitted the lower end of a soft flexible tube 76 having atop opening 78. The tube 76 may be formed with an upwardly protrudingtabor finger 80 which may merely comprise an integral portion of thetube wall. It will be noted, however, that the tab 80 protrudes abovethe top opening 78. Attachedto, or intergrally. formed with, the upperportion of the finger 80 is a ball 82, the function of which will becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

Inserted into the upper end of the feed tube 16b may be a hollowhypodermic needle 84. As shown in FIGS. '8 and 9, this hypodermic needlemay be inserted through the stopper 72 so that the same protrudes intothe tube 74. A second hypodermic needle 86 may be inserted through thestopper 72 to afford an air vent similar to the vent tube 32 of theprior embodiments.

The operation of this valve embodiment will now become apparent withattention directed to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings The liquid 14b inthe container 12b exerts buoyant forces on the ball 82 so that the samefloats sufiiciently to maintain the tab 80 and the walls of the tube 76a substantially Vertical plane or position. in an open condition,thereby permitting the fluid 14b to pass through the tube 76, thehypodermic needle 84 and enter the attached liquid feed tube 16b.

However, when the supply of liquid 14b is depleted to the'point shown inFIG. 9 of the drawings, the ball 82, floating downwardly on the surfaceof the liquid 14b, causes the upper portion of the flexible tube 76 tobend sufficiently to close the opening 78 thereby cutting off the supplyof liquid to the feed tube 1612. Again, it will be noted that the valvecloses before the entire supply of fluid 14b is exhausted, therebyensuring against the entry oil? air into the feed tube 16b. As a matterof fact it will be noted that a small amount of liquid remains insidethe tube 76, doubly ensuring that no air enters the intravenous feedtube system.

In this position, the valve inlet 78 is maintained Since the abovedescribed valve embodiment does not depend upon the seating of a ball orsimilar member, it is especially positive acting and fool-proof. Thus,inadvertent tipping or accidental movement of the apparatus will notprevent the flexible tube from bending and closing oif the valveopening. Likewise, once closed, such accidental movement will notindavertently open the valve.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it should be apparentwithout further description that I have provided a novel parenteral orintravenous liquid feed apparatus having positive acting check valvewhich is normally in the closed position, and which ensures an efficientsealing-off of the feed tube slightly before the entire supply of liquidis exhausted. The valve is so designed that it does not open untilliquid is actually present in the plenum chamber and the entrance to thefeed tube. It is further designed so that it closes before all of theliquid in the plenum chamber, container or valve tube (depending on theembodiment) is exhausted. This ensures positively against the entranceof any air into the feed tube. However, it still permits dispensing ofthe full prescribed dosage. The apparatus and the action of the valve iscompletely trustworthy so that an injection may be left unattended, oncebegun, without any apprehension. Moreover, the entire apparatus may beinexpensively made as a unitary discardable kit for ease of use andsterilization.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly,and many of its advantages should be readily understood from theforegoing without further description, and it should also be manifestthat while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed for illustrative purposes, the structural details arenevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of myinvention as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

A parenteral liquid feed apparatus comprising a bottle of liquid, astopper positioned to close the mouth of said bottle, said stopperhaving a short tube protruding into said bottle, a flexible tube mountedon said short tube, said flexible tube having an opening adjacent thetop thereof, a finger protruding from the wall of said tube above saidopening, a buoyant ball attached to the upper end of said finger, and aliquid feed tube fluidly connected to said flexible tube whereby theflow of liquid from said bottle into said liquid feed tube may becontrolled by said flexible tube.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 565,457 8/ 1896Harttert 137-192 1,010,562 12/1911 Woodward 137-451 1,384,715 7/ 1920Willemstyn 137-192 2,241,636 5/.1941 Eliason 137-451 2,251,086 7/ 1941Van Dyke 137-424 X 3,101,710 8/ 1963 Koehn 128-214 3,105,511 10/1963Murphy 128-214 X ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner.

A. COHAN, Assistant Examiner.

